The Scott Fitzgerald Show

This morning I was a guest on the Scott Fitzgerald Show on Raleigh N.C.'s NewsRadio 680. The interview was triggered by a pursuit yesterday in Raleigh for a stolen vehicle. Although, according to the report, the police had GPS capabilities to keep track of the fleeing vehicle on the radar, they pursued during rush hour at high speeds. Luckily, no one died.

Lasting three segments and nearly 45 minutes, I spoke with Scott about what a proper policy should be, what should have happened yesterday, what technologies are available today, and more. During the interview Scott fielded several calls from listeners. Surprisingly, a majority seemed to understand the need to have a strictly defined policy that properly weights the need to apprehend a suspect immediately and protecting the public. Others did not see it that way, yet the discussion remained civil and productive.

Thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald for having me on.

You can learn more about him and his show HERE.

I'll post a link to the audio if I can track it down...

In NSW, minimum punishments will go a long way

According to The Coast News, the New South Wales government has enacted legislation that requires a jail sentence of at least 3 years and up to 5 years for those who choose to flee police, even if no one is hurt. The change in police includes:

• Participate in a police pursuit while driving furiously, recklessly or at a speed or in a manner dangerous to the public – maximum jail term: three years;

• Participate in a police pursuit while driving furiously, recklessly or at a speed or in a manner dangerous to the public on a second or subsequent occasion within five years of the first offence – maximum jail term: five years.

Now if someone is hurt, prosecutors a free to pursue harsher sentences, but having this tool at their disposal will undoubtedly bring how the message of how dangerous it is to flee police.

At the same time, officers still have the ability to pursue if the suspected crime warrants such. To close,

“Police pursuits are only engaged in by highly-skilled and trained officers and are subject to strict guidelines and safe driving strategies.”

It looks like NSW is doing it the right way. Proper policy, proper officer training, proper oversight, proper punishment.